Jaipur: A tanker carrying a methanol gas overturned on Saturday on the Jaipur-Delhi highway near Chandwaji in Jaipur.
Soon after the incident the rescue teams teams from Civil Defence and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to manage the toxic gas leak which averted the major disaster by reaching the spot in a short span of time.
Reports reaching said that the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday reportedly after the tanker driver swerved to avoid hitting a cow that had strayed onto the road. The resulting overturn led to a diversion of traffic on both sides of the highway.
Emergency personnel have rerouted vehicles via the Sundarpur culvert and service roads, while police and Civil Defence teams closely monitor the area to ensure public safety.
Methanol, a highly toxic chemical, poses significant risks, making the situation critical. Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the leak and prevent further escalation.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent highway tragedy. On the Jaipur-Ajmer highway near Bhankrota, an LPG tanker explosion on December 20 claimed 20 lives. The accident occurred when an LPG tanker making a U-turn collided with an oncoming container, leading to a massive gas leak and explosion.
The resulting fire spread across a 500-meter radius, leaving approximately 40 people injured. Four victims were burned alive, and eight others succumbed to injuries in the hospital, with over 12 individuals still in intensive care.
These consecutive highway accidents have reignited calls from locals for stricter safety measures and better regulation of hazardous materials transportation on major routes.